Mobile hydraulically foldable conveyor

ABSTRACT

A mobile folding conveyor has a main central section and a pair of pivotally mounted, completely foldable, end sections each of which is positioned through independently movable cylinder rod and arm linkages by remotely controlled double acting hydraulic cylinders.

United States Patent Inventors Orlin L. Knadle;

August W. Ollerich, Jr., both of Sioux Falls, S. Dak.

Apr. 3, 1969 Nov. 2, 1971 Athey Products Corporation Raleigh, N.C.

Appl. No, Filed Patented Assignee MOBILE HYDRAULICALLY FOLDABLE CONVEYOR 1 Claim, 7 Drawing Figs.

Int.Cl B65g2l/12 Field of Search 198/87, 109, 1 13-1 15 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,989,930 6/1961 Flowers 298/35 M 3,085,675 4/l963 Feiteira 198/113 Primary Examiner- Edward A. Sroka Attorney- B. B. Olive ABSTRACT: A mobile folding conveyor has a main central section and a pair of pivotally mounted, completely foldable, end sections each of which is positioned through independently movable cylinder rod and arm linkages by remotely controlled double acting hydraulic cylinders.

PATENTEUNBV Z 197i 3.616.893

SHEET 10F 2 AVAVAVAV/QV/AV I N VIiNT ORS Orhn L. Knadkz August W. Ollrzrich, Jr.

ATTORNEY 7 PATENTEnuuv 2 wen SHEET 2 [IF 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to mobile folding conveyors and to a hydraulically operated hinge construction for folding conveyor sections. The hinge construction while specifically shown in connection with a folding conveyor has broader application to folding ladders, platforms, stairs and the like.

2. Description-of the Prior Art A mobile folding conveyor of the type most closely related to this invention is deemed to be thattaught by U.S. ,Pat. No. 3,085,675, to .l. M. Feiteira, Jr., issued Apr. 16, 1963. Other prior art of interest includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,390,8- 3, 2,501,448 and 2,778,477.

The prior artcan be said to have taught the basic concept'oi using hydraulically actuated cylinders and associated arm linkages as a means for folding conveyor sections. Treating the referred to Feiteira U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,675, as being the closest prior art on which the present,invention seeks to improve, it will be noted that the construction of the Feiteira patent incorporates an integral U-shaped yoke which rigidly connects the set of hydraulic cylinders on one side of the conveyor hinge to the set of hydraulic cylinders on the other side of the conveyor hinge. Such sets of cylinders inherently tend not to follow each other precisely due to pressure differences, differences in friction and the like. Thus, when the set of hydraulic cylinders on one side tend to lead or lag the set of hydraulic cylinders on the other side of the conveyor the mentioned yoke prevents independent movement of the two sets and there is a strain and torsion effect which asserts itself on the yoke. Further, the particular construction shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,675, limits itself to a degree of folding lessthan 180", which is undesirable for conveyor sections that must be adapted to long-distance overland travel and that must be completely folded during such trayel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The mobile folding conveyor assembly of the invention is comprised of a main central section mounted on an undercarriage and a pair of end sections which are pivotally connected to the ends of the central section by means of fabricated, plate metal hinges. The end sections may thus rotate from a working position in which the three sections form a single long conveyor to a travel position in which the end sections are each completely folded and travel while being supported on top of the main central section.

A pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinders are mounted on, each side of the hinged conveyor sections at each hinge connection. Thus, there are four such hydraulic cylinders a each connection. The cylinder portions of the hydraulic cylinders are pivotally mounted to pivot on axis intermediate their; lengths and are mounted on trunnions which in turn mount on the respective central and end conveyor sections. The pair of cylinder rods on each side of each hinge connection connect together at their extremities and also to a swinging arm.

Of special significance to the present invention is the fact that the structure of the present invention provides sets of hydraulic cylinders and rod linkages on each side of the con-. veyor sections which sets operate completely independent ofeach other. Thus, any tendency for one set of hydraulic cylinders on one side of the conveyor to lead or lag the set of hydraulic cylinders on the other side is not transmitted through the system and thus the strain and torsion effect found in the prior art, e.g., Feiteira U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,675, is avoided. Of further and equal significance is the fact that the construction of the present invention allows the end sections to make a complete fold of 180 so that each end section can rest solidly on the central section during storage or road travel.

The object of the invention is thus to provide an improved fluid cylinder actuated folding conveyor which can be completely folded and which minimizes mechanical strains in the hinge connections.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view showing the apparatus of the invention mounted on an undercarriage.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentarypictorial view showing the cylinder arrangement for moving an end portion into a working position, the end section being shown in a folded position.

FIG. 3is a fragmentary side elevation view of an end of the main conveyor section and a pivotal end section, the end section being in a folded position.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view similar to FIG. 3 except that the end section is near dead center and is almost midway its folded position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 with the end section in an extended working position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary end section view to illustrate a typical hydraulic cylinder housing trunnion mounting.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary end section view to illustrate a typical hinge connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring tothe drawings, the folding conveyor assembly generally designatedat 10 includes a main central section 11 and a pair ofend sections 12, 13 adapted to be pivotally connected tomain section 11 to form acontinuation of the main conveyor. Main conveyor section 11 ismounted on undercarriage 14 having wheels 15 in order that the conveyor apparatus can be moved from job site to job site. Main conveyor 11 has a hitch l6 where a mover (such as a tractor, etc.) can hook up to the main conveyor. Main conveyor I1, is constructed ofthe usual metal channels withmetal braces.

Consideringthe-hinge construction of the invention in.more detail it is to be understood that the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings utilizes four hydraulic cylinders, two oneach side, at each hinge" connection. A total of eight cylinders are employed to operate the two end sectionsv A plate metal fabricated cylinder mount is employed for. each hydraulic cylinder and these mounts are of the same general construction. Each such mount serves to provide a pivotal trunnion support for a respective hydraulic cylinder housing. Each cylinder hou sing is thus enabled to pivot on a respective trunnion axis which is fixed with respect to the particular central or end conveyor section. It will also be seen that each such trunnion axisextends through its respective cylinder housing at a point intermediate its length and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of its stroke.

Stated differently, the cylinder housing instead of following the conventional practice of having a pivotal connection at the end of the housing has a trunnion pivot at a point intermediate itslength.

FIG. 2 will be used to illustrate the typicalconstruetion employed at each hinge connection. In FIG. 2 there are shown four cylinder mounts labeled 21, 22, 23,24 and each is of the same general fabricated plate and plate reinforced metal construction Mount 21 will be referred to in more detail from which the-construction of the other mounts should be well understood.

Mount 21 includes a main backing plate 25 which is welded, bolted or otherwise secured to the central conveyor section. An outer plate 26 is secured to plate 25 by means of a U- shaped spacer-element 27 and a bent plate spacer element 28. A removable plate 29 is secured to plate 26 by bolts 3 and as best shown in FIG. 6 provides a pivotal mount at 34 for a trunnion shaft 35 which is secured to the respective hydraulic cylinder housing 36. An opposite pivotal mount for trunnion shaft 35 is provided in plate 25 as shown at 37. It will be noted that trunnion shaft 35 thus provides a pivotal axis for cyiinder housing 3.6 which extends through housing 36 at a point intermediate its iength and which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of cylinder stroke. Such trunnion shaft axis is furthermore fixed with respect to the central conveyor section 11 on which mount 20 is mounted. With such arrangement a complete fold of I? is obtainable which is highly desirable for travel to avoid having to block the conveyor sections in 7 some awkward angular position.

Continuing the more detailed description of the mount construction, plate 25 has a hole 40 which mates with a hole 41 (FIG. 2) so that when the conveyor is fully operational, i.e., is in the FIG. position, folding end section 13 can be locked to section 11 by inserting a locking pin (not shown) through holes 40 and 41. Plates 25 and 26 are also provided with respective extensions 45, 46 which mate with and receive therebetween comparable extensions 47, 48 of mount 22 (See HO. 7). Extensions 45, 46, 47 and 48 include suitable bearing holes which serve as a pivotal mounting for a hinge pin 50 on which is also loosely mounted a pivotal connector arm 51. The opposite extremity or working end of connector arm 51 is pivotally connected to the extremities of the respective cylinder piston rods 55, 56.

It will be noticed particularly that cylinder piston rods 55, 56 and am 51 can pivot and move completely independent of the comparable set of piston rods 57, 58 and arm 59 associated with cylinder mounts 23, 24. Thus, when the pair of hydraulic cylinders generally indicated at 60, 61 tends to lead or lag the pair of hydraulic cylinders 62, 63 on the opposite hinge, they may do so and no strain or torsion effect is transmitted between hinges. Thus, unlike the U-shaped yoke arrangement of the prior art (i.e., Feiteira U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,675, in particular) arms 51 and 59 may move completely independently of each other and one arm may lead or lag the other arm in the process of folding and unfolding the conveyor sections. In actual practice, this is what tends to occur and actually happens due to minor differences in friction, pressure and the like. Nevertheless, each respective hinge on each side of the conveyor is kept under positive control at all times and without setting up or transmitting torsion effects from the hinge on one side of the conveyor to the hinge on the other. The hydraulic components may thus exhibit slight differences in manufacturing tolerances and the hydraulic system using such components will exhibit such differences by tending to cause arms 51 and 59 to move slightly or even substantially out of step. FIG. 4 illustrates this action in the positions shown in dashed lines. However, since arms 51 and 59 may move independently as previously explained there is no transfer of torsion from one side to the other through the hinge axis.

To complete the description an endless conveyor belt 75 passes over guide rollers 76 of main conveyor 11 and end conveyors l2, 13. Power for driving the usual conveyor belt is derived from hydraulic motor 77 mounted on main conveyor section I1 and is enclosed by a protective screen 78. A suitable hydraulic control station 80 is provided and while not shown it will be understood that valves, line restrictors and other conventional hydraulic system components are employed as required, such being well known in the art.

In preparation for operation of the folding conveyor of the invention, the folded conveyor supported by wheels is pulled to the desired location by means of a tractor (not shown) hooked to hitch 16. The tractor is disconnected from the conveyor 10, and the hydraulic system is energized. The previously mentioned locking pins are removed. To illustrate the unfolding operation reference is made to FIGS. 1,3,4 and 5. FIG. 3 illustrates the end conveyor section in a folded or rest position such as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 will be used to explain a typical operation. The respective hydraulic cylinders are energized in a manner which tends to draw piston rods 56 and 58 into their respective cylinders 61, 63 which in turn causes end section 13 to be raised from a completely folded position to a vertical position as in FIG. 4. At this point piston rods 56 and 58 are drawn substantially completely into the respective cylinders 61 and 62 (FIG. 4) and the pressure in cylinders 60 and 62 will be supporting end section 13. During such movement to vertical position connector arms 51, 59 may or may not move together exactly in step. Once past dead center, the pressure in the respective double acting cylinders is maintained in such a way as to cause end section 13 to gradually move into its operational position. In such operational position connector arms 51, 59 will ultimately move substantially 90 from the FIG. 2 position though the connector arms will not necessarily maintain themselves in step as previously mentioned. Once the sections are operationally positioned the appropriate locking pins may be installed, e.g., in mating holes 40, 41 and the conveyor belt 75 may be made operational by energizing the belt drive motor 77. A reverse hydraulic procedure is followed to restore the end sections back to a fully folded, i.e., l fold, position for travel. All such positioning can of course be remotely controlled as generally illustrated by hydraulic control 80.

While described specifically in connection with a folding conveyor and folding conveyor sections it will be understood that the invention has application to other conveyor like sections such as found in folding ladders, platforms, stairs and the like.

What is claimed is:

1. In folding apparatus in the nature of conveyors and the like having first and second sections, the second being required to be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees I 80) and fully folded against the first when not operational and fully unfolded so as to form an aligned extension of the other when operational:

a. hinging means providing a pair oflaterally spaced pivotal connections between and substantially on the sides of said sections and adapted to allow said sections to rotate between said fully folded and fully unfolded positions and to pivot about a common pivotal axis extending through said connections said hinging means comprising a pair of hinging means for each said section mounted on the sides thereof and each member of such pair being adapted to be pivotally secured to another such mating member for the other section to provide a said pivotal connection and being further adapted to pivotally mount a respective said cylinder housing thereon;

b. a pair of fluid pressure cylinders mounted on each said side of said hinging means, each cylinder having a piston housing and a piston rod movable therein, one of each of said pair of cylinder housings having a pivotal mounting located intermediate its length and supported by said first section and the other of each of said pair of cylinder housings having a pivotal mounting intermediate its length and supported by said second section, each said housing pivotal mounting being mounted on a respective said hinging member; and

c. a connector arm operatively associated with each said pair of pressure cylinders, each connector arm being independently swingable of the other and having one inner end mounted to swing on a respective said hinging connection and around said pivotal axis and the other outer end pivotally connected to the outer ends of the respective pair of said piston rods with which said arm is associated,

said pressure cylinders when energizing being effective to swing said second section between said fully folded and fully unfolded positions and during such swinging each said connector arm being free to move independent of the other. 

1. In folding apparatus in the nature of conveyors and the like having first and second sections, the second being required to be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees (180* ) and fully folded against the first when not operational and fully unfolded so as to form an aligned extension of the other when operational: a. hinging means providing a pair of laterally spaced pivotal connections between and substantially on the sides of said sections and adapted to allow said sections to rotate between said fully folded and fully unfolded positions and to pivot about a common pivotal axis extending through said connections said hinging means comprising a pair of hinging means for each said section mounted on the sides thereof and each member of such pair being adapted to be pivotally secured to another such mating member for the other section to provide a said pivotal connection and being further adapted to pivotally mount a respective said cylinder housing thereon; b. a pair of fluid pressure cylinders mounted on each said side of said hinging means, each cylinder having a piston housing and a piston rod movable therein, one of each of said pair of cylinder housings having a pivotal mounting located intermediate its length and supported by said first section and the other of each of said pair of cylinder housings having a pivotal mounting intermediate its length and supported by said second section, each said housing pivotal mounting being mounted on a respective said hinging member; and c. a connector arm operatively associated with each said pair of pressure cylinders, each connector arm being independently swingable of the other and having one inner end mounted to swing on a respective said hinging connection and around said pivotal axis and the other outer end pivotally connected to the outer ends of the respective pair of said piston rods with which said arm is associated, said pressure cylinders when energizing being effective to swing said second section between said fully folded and fully unfolded positions and during such swinging each said connector arm being free to move independent of the other. 